Chapter 203: Hiruzen Resigns

Stepping out of the Sarutobi clan territory, Kawaki felt a wave of relief. 

Everything had been settled—the only thing left was for Hiruzen to formally resign. 

As for his nomination, it hardly mattered. Tsunade's popularity alone was more than enough. 

Once the Daimyō had been contacted, Tsunade's position as Hokage would be confirmed. 

Walking through town, Kawaki bought Kakashi a nice-looking toy. 

He also picked up some snacks for his other disciples before using the Flying Thunder God Technique to return home. 

In the martial arts training hall, Sakumo was guiding the three kids through some sparring practice. 

Minato trained on his own nearby, and the size of his Rasengan seemed even bigger than before. 

"Sister-in-law." 

Kawaki kicked Ghost Mastiff and its son away from the smell of snacks. 

"Woof~" 

The two dogs started barking in protest. Fine, after you finish eating I'll let you pet them all you want. 

"Was everything settled smoothly?" 

Natsuki already knew what Kawaki had gone out for. 

"Smoothly." 

"Kakashi, look at the toy Uncle got you." 

Kawaki lifted Kakashi who was lying on the floor. 

"That's good to hear." 

Watching the uncle and nephew chatter happily together, Natsuki smiled warmly. 

Kawaki's personality really resonated with kids. 

Ghost Mastiff and its son circled around Kawaki excitedly. 

"You're such greedy dogs." 

Kawaki casually placed Kakashi onto the white mastiff's back—effortlessly carrying the one-year-old. 

"Haha~" 

Kakashi grabbed handfuls of the dog's fur with both hands, laughing joyfully. 

Kawaki pulled out two meat dumplings, handing one each to Ghost Mastiff and its son—fair and equal. 

"Off you go to play." 

Kawaki patted both dogs on the head, and Ghost Mastiff immediately took its son running off into the distance. 

Kakashi sat stably atop the white mastiff's back. 

"Come eat, then you can train again later." 

After sitting down, Kawaki called out, and everyone stopped what they were doing. 

Sakumo and Minato arrived first, while the three young ones followed shortly behind. 

Luckily, Kawaki had bought plenty—if not, there definitely wouldn't have been enough for everyone. 

"Teacher, is our teacher's wife going to become Hokage soon?" 

Konan, still hadn't swallowed the dumpling in her mouth, asked Kawaki while playing up her cuteness. 

"Who told you that?" 

Kawaki remembered clearly he hadn't mentioned this in front of his disciples. 

"Uncle said so! He told us we should train hard and not embarrass Teacher's wife." 

"He was smiling super wide too, saying you've got talent." 

Konan gesticulated wildly as she repeated what Sakumo had said. 

"Cough cough~" 

Sakumo tried covering his embarrassment by coughing. He wasn't someone who'd get happy just because their household produced a Hokage. 

"Alright, don't deny it anymore." 

Natsuki quietly laughed while smacking Sakumo lightly on the shoulder. 

Would it kill you to praise your little brother? 

"Your uncle doesn't have great judgment." 

Kawaki ruffled Konan's hair while teasing Sakumo. 

"I've always been amazing, okay?" 

"Stop acting like you weren't trying to show off." 

Sakumo naturally disliked hearing that kind of remark. 

Eyes narrowing dangerously, a silent standoff was about to break out between them. 

"I'm going to find your teacher. Catch you later!" 

Kawaki seized the moment to slip away, vanishing instantly in a flash of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

He reappeared in the hospital research lab.

Inside, Tsunade and Orochimaru were both busy at work.

"I'm here."

Kawaki pushed the lab door open and walked in, but neither of them reacted.

"From your expression, I take it things went smoothly?"

Orochimaru spoke first while Tsunade didn't even bother to look up.

Clearly, whatever was in that petri dish interested her more than Kawaki's arrival did.

"Mm. He agreed."

Kawaki had originally wanted to share his excitement with Tsunade, but now realized it might not be appropriate.

Slowly approaching Tsunade, he patted her shoulder gently.

"Since a mistake was made, we need to fix it."

"Luckily, he came around and let go."

Tsunade paused briefly before letting out a quiet sigh without saying anything.

"Well, what's done is done. Don't dwell on it anymore."

Orochimaru, who didn't take things as seriously as Tsunade did, joined in trying to comfort her.

With Kawaki and Orochimaru's reassurance, Tsunade finally began to regain her spirits.

...

The next morning,

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before the mirror at home, dressed in his new Hokage robes and adjusting his appearance.

"Hiruzen, maybe someone else should take your place at today's ceremony?"

Homura Mitokado looked exhausted with deep-set eyes, speaking weakly.

He already knew what would likely happen if Hiruzen showed up at the ceremony today.

"No thanks. The mistake was mine, so there's no reason to let others bear the consequences."

Hiruzen put on the Hokage hat and turned around, giving his old friend's shoulder a firm pat.

"Sorry about this, Homura."

"There's no need to say that between us."

Homura Mitokado managed a faint smile, already accepting the current situation.

So what if it meant taking over the Police Force? He'd just do it.

"You don't need to come. I'm leaving now."

After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi left alone, heading toward the village center.

There, he had someone build a platform for his apology.

Walking there, he moved very slowly, reminiscing about his past.

The closer he got to the village center, the more his lips curved into a smile. Perhaps stepping down now wasn't such a bad idea after all.

If he had stayed Hokage for another few decades, Konoha might have faced serious issues.

At the village center, a tall platform had already been built, with villagers gathered below.

Amid a chorus of curses, Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly stepped onto the stage.

Arriving at the center of the platform, he picked up the microphone.

"I understand you all hold resentment against me."

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"Would you kindly listen to me for a moment?"

His voice came through clearly over the amplifier to every villager.

Perhaps everyone wanted to hear how he'd defend himself, or perhaps they hoped to hear his confession.

Eventually, the crowd fell silent.

"Thank you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed to the audience below.

"I'm standing here today not to justify my actions."

"What you've all heard is true."

"It was my selfishness. I embezzled pensions."

"All I can give is my apology."

"But I promise to repay every penny I stole over those years."

As soon as he spoke, no sooner had he spoken than Hiruzen dropped his bombshell confession immediately.

His words sparked outrage among the crowd.

"Get down!"

"You're not fit to be Hokage!"

"Vampire!"

...

The villagers shouted curses as they hurled stones, eggs, and rotting vegetable leaves at the platform. Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't budge an inch, allowing the projectiles to strike his body sporadically.

After what felt like an eternity, the barrage ceased as the villagers had exhausted all they had to throw. His body was now splattered and covered in filth.

Unbothered by the grime covering him, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued speaking.

"I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, have wronged you all. I've wronged the warriors who gave their lives on the front line."

"Today marks the day I step down from the Hokage seat."

"I am no longer fit to lead Konoha Village forward."

Having said that, right before the villagers' eyes, he removed his Hokage robe, folded it neatly, and set it aside with care.

Then he took off his hat and solemnly placed it atop the folded robe.

Finally, he bowed deeply to the villagers below, remaining that way for a long moment without rising.

From this moment onward, he was no longer the Hokage of Konoha Village.

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